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Four International Students at Ferrum College Use the Thanksgiving Break to Raise Money for a Student in Africa

For immediate release:
November 18, 2008
Contact: Natalie Faunce, (540) 365-4301
nfaunce@ferrum.edu



International students with their mountain bikes For most college students, the Thanksgiving break is just that - a break from studying and attending classes to rest and relax with family. However, for four international students here at Ferrum College it meant something else entirely. Instead of feasting on turkey and watching football games, the four students, Patrick Black from Northern Ireland, Youpeng Fu, from China, Youngkyu Lee, from South Korea, and Zhen Guo from China all traveled together to the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia over the Thanksgiving break. With their mountain bikes in tow, they rode the trails through the forest for a 400-mile trek to raise money so that a student in Africa can get the same opportunity they are getting – the opportunity for an education.

The four have teamed up with the group “These Numbers Have Faces,” a Portland, Oregon based nonprofit organization working in Cape Town, South Africa. “These Numbers Have Faces” works to confront the devastating effects of generational poverty by providing college scholarships for youths in the township of Gugulethu. Through the organization, the four students found out about 21 year old Khanisa Nqoboka, a student who just started his first year at the University of Western Cape studying Tourism in anticipation of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However, in May, both of Khanisa’s parents died and now Khanisa does not know how he will support himself through the next few years of college. With the help of “These Numbers Have Faces,” the four Ferrum College students hoped they could raise enough money to send Khanisa back to school. They spent months raising money from sponsors of at least $1 for every mile they covered on their bikes to help Khanisa continue his studies. “Khanisa is thoroughly committed to his studies,” explains Patrick. “His attitude is an inspiration to all off us and demonstrates how we should never take our access to education for granted.”

Whether or not they raise the necessary fund to send Khanisa back to school or not, the four hope that through their trip will at least raise awareness among other Ferrum College students about the value of education and offer the opportunity to help those in a difficult situation. No matter the outcome of their endeavors, the efforts of these four students exemplify the college’s motto: “Not Self, But Others.”

Find out more

For more information or to donate to their cause, check out their blog.
See videos and interviews with the students at WDBJ7.com.


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About Ferrum College
Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges.
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